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Penelope Four Grain vs Elijah Craig Small Batch
Comparing Penelope Four Grain and Elijah Craig Small Batch reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | Elijah Craig Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$28 – $35 |
- Penelope Four Grain does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain Elijah Craig Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/7 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10
spice 3/5 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Penelope Four Grain: A light, low-proof blend of corn, wheat, rye and barley. Honey, almond and orchard fruit keep it sweet and easy, though it reads young and thin when sipped neat.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: A heavily oak-driven pour for the money, with vanilla bean and brown sugar riding on top of real char and smoke. The extra age shows up as wood depth rather than harshness.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
- Go with Elijah Craig Small Batch if you want the best oak-forward value on the shelf, with more wood character than its price suggests with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch).